Railway switch and signal



P. P. BRADLEY AND C. E. LINDSEY.

RAILWAY SWITCH AND SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR 19. 1-920.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 1- Paul P. firg -ey amwwtou I ll gr'us E.L1nd

P. P. BRADLEY AND C. E. LINDSEY.

RAILWAY SWITCH AND SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR.19, I920.

Patented Man 8, 1921.

s SHEETSSHEET 2.

'IIIIIIJI.

RAILWAY SWITCH AND SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR-191 I920. 1,370,780. Patented Mar. 8, 1921. 3 $HEET$SHEET 3' gy anmmbow I E.L1n

lLuLLJ Paul E Elba E11 E. 1 I'us UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL P. BRADLEY AND CYRUS E. LINDSEY, F LEE'ION, MISSOURI.

RAILWAY SWITCH AN D SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application filed April 19, 1920. Serial No. 875,146.

. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Switches and Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railway switches and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved means for operating a switch at a point distant from the switch, thereby eliminating the necessitating of stopping the train, and the running ahead of one of the brakemen for operating the switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for operating railroad switches, which includes a central switch stand and distant switch stands located at opposite sides of the central switch stand, the switch being adapted to be operated from any one of the stands. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for operating switches at a point distant from the switch which is so constructed that the operation of the switch is absolutely prevented by unauthorized persons.

A further object of the invention is to provide a railroad switch having an improved means for operating the same including a central switch stand and side switch stands located at a point distant from the central switch stand, the switch stands being connected together in such a manner that the operation of one of the same will operate the switch and the rest of the switch stands.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved switch and signal of the above character which is durable and efficient in use, one that is simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the switch and improved operating means therefor.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same showing the casing for one of the switch stands open and ready for operation.

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the central switch stand.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the same with the central switch operating shaft in section.

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the central switch stand casing, parts of the switch being shown in section.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section through the central switch stand showing the switch stand in unlocked position and ready for operation.

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal section through the central switch stand, and

Fig. 9 is a vertical section through one of the end switch stands.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the means of operatively connecting the locking dogs together.

Referring to the drawings, in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A indicates a railroad track of the ordinary construction including the main line 10, and the siding 11. The main line 10 includes rails 12 and the usual supporting ties 13 and the rails 12 are adapted to be connected to the siding 11 by means of movable switch points 14 which are connected together for synchronous movement by a rod 15 which extends through a central switch stand 16. The switch stand 16 is supported by certain of the ties 13 which are extended beyond the rails 12 as'at 17.

Certain of the ties 13 on each side of the central switch stand 16 are extended as at 18 and form supports for the side or distant switch stands 19 and 20.

The switch stands 16 include a fiat base plate 21 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the up )er surface of the extended ties 17 and whic support the cylindrical housing 22. The cylindrical housing 22 is provided with an upper' Wall 23 which is provided with a central bearing 24 in which is ro tatably mounted the central switch operating shaft 25. The housing intermediate its end is provided with a spider 26 which supports a bearing 27 for the lower end of the shaft 25. The extreme lower end of the switch operating shaft 25 is provided with a three arm lever 28 which rotates with the plate 21 and has pivotally secured thereto the connecting rod 15. Thus it can be seen that upon rotation of the shaft 25the switch points will be operated; The shaft 25 is provided intermediate squared portion for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully. described. The upper end of the shaft 25 is provided with the usual target 31 and signal lantern 32. The upper wall 23 of the cylindrical casing 22 is provided with an arcuate upstanding flange 33 which is provided with the in wardly extending flange 34 which provides 7 means for retaining a circular rotatable plate 35 in position. The top plate 23 directly opposite the arcuate upstanding flange 33 is provided with outstanding arcuate extension 36, which is provided adjacent its ends with inwardly extending notches 37, which are adapted to receivethe operating lever 38 when the same islin its inoperative position. One of the notches 37 is adapted to receive the lever when the switch is in closed position and the other notch is adapted to receive the lever when the switch is in its opened position. The operating lever 38 is pivotally mounted as at 39 on the rotatable circular plate 35 and this lever is adapted to move between a slot 40' formed in the rotatable plate. The upstanding fork shaped member 41 is carried by the plate 35 and thelever 38 carries adjacent to its upper end the right angularly extending arm 42 which is adapted to fit in the fork shaped member when the lever 38 is in its inoperative position; The arm 42 is provided with an opening for the reception of the shackle of a padlock 43, which is adapted to engage the outer surface of the fork shaped member 41 and prevent the swinging movement of the lever 38 on the pivot 39, so as to prevent the unauthorized actuation of the switch. The rotatable-plate 35 is provided with a central bore for the reception of the shaft 25 andis mounted for free movementon the shaft 25 and when it is desired to connect the plate 35 to the shaft 25 so as to permit rotation with-the shaft 25 it is necessary to move the forked end 44 of the sliding lever 45 inwardlyinto engagement with the squared portion 30 of the shaft 25. The sliding lever 45 is carried by the plate 35 and the plate is provided with a recessed portion 46 for the reception of the forkedhead 44 of the lever. The slid ing lever45, is provided with an upstanding operating handle 47 so as to permit the con venient sliding of the lever to connect and its ends with a disconnect the lever 45 with the rotatable plate 35. To prevent accidental movement of the operating lever 45 when the same is in its inoperative position and when the same is in its operative position, a vertically sliding dog 48 is provided for the lever and this dog is adapted to slide in arcuate slots 49 and 50 formed in the upper wall 23. This dog 48 is operated by a pivotedlever of the ordinary construction 51. Thus it can be seen that when it is desired to connect the plate 35 with'the shaft 25, the hand lever 51 is moved into engagement with the handle 47, which lifts the dog 48 out of the groove 49. The lever 45 is then pushed inwardly which moves the forked end 44 thereof into engagement with the squared portion 30 of the shaft 25. The hand lever 51 is then releasedand the dog 48 moves in the arcuate slot 50 which prevents the out ward movement of the fork. The formation of the slots-49 and 50 permits of the sliding of the dog in relation-to the plates.

To prevent unauthorized actuationof the sliding lever 45 a locking plate 51 is pivotally secured as at 52 to a pair of upstanding cars 53 carried by the rotatable plate 35. The outer end of the locking plate 51 is provided with an inwardly extending forked end 54, which is adapted to engage the opposite side of the forked extension 41 formed on the rotatable plate 35. The forked terminal 54 of the locking plate 51 is adapted to lie beneath the arm 42 when the "lever 38 is in its inoperative position and when the lever is locked against movement by the padlock 43, the locking plate is prevented from being actuated. The locking plate 5]. is adapted to engage the handle 47 of the sliding lever 45 soas to prevent inward movement thereof by unauthorized persons. The locking plate 51 also carries an in wardly extending arcuate extension 55 which is provided with. a disk shaped terminal 56 which is adapted to overlie the upper surface of a rod 57 which is slidably mounted in the radial slot 50 and extends through an opening formed in the plate 23 provided for the same. The lower end of the rod 57 is connected bymeans of a pivot joint 59 to a lever 60 which is hingedly: connected intermediate its ends to a bracket 61 which is secured to the inner surface of the cylindrical casing 22. When the lever 38 is moved to its operative position for rotating the plate 35, the inner end of the same will engage the rod 57 and depress the rod and thus swing the lever 60 on its pivot. I The lever 60 is adapted to pull up on a pair of cables 62 which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The switch stands 19 and 20 located on opposite sides of the switch stand 16 are identical in construction and operated in the same manner and each of the same is located at distant points from the central switch stand 16 so as to obviate the necessity of the brakeman rumiing ahead or in rear of a train to actuate the switch before and after the train has passed the same. This also obviates the necessity of stopping the train while the switch is being operated. The switch stands 19 and 20 each includes a housing 63 of any preferred construction or configuration and as shown includes a hollow body 64 having an upper hinged lid 65 and the body is provided with a bracket 66 so as to prevent the swinging of the lid back beyond a fixed point. The lid 65 of each of the housings is adapted to be held in closed position by means of a suitable hasp and padlock 67. Each of the housings 63 has a switch operating lever 68 which is mounted intermediate its ends upon a supporting bracket 69. The supporting bracket 69 carries an arcuate rack 70 which is adapted to be engaged by a pivoted dog 71 carried by the switch lever 68 and the dog is normally held in position in engagement with the rack bars by suitable springs. The dogs 71 are pivotally secured to the lever 68 intermediate their ends and the toothed ends thereof have connected to the same the connecting links 72 which are secured in the ordinary manner to the operating levers 73 of the switches 68. The lower end of each of the levers 68 in each of the housings or casings 63 has connected to its lower end an operating rod 7 4 which is connected to certain of the arms of the three armed lever 28. Thus it can be seen that when the dogs 71 are moved out of engagement with the rack bars 70 and when the lever 68 is actuated the shaft 25 will be rotated for operating the switch connecting rod 15 for moving the switch points 14:. The toothed end of one of the dogs 71 is connected to the opposite end of the other dog by means of a flexible cable 76, which is trained around suitable guide pulleys 77 carried by the pivot of the levers 68. Another flexible cable 78 is provided and has its terminal connected to the end of one dog opposite to the toothed end thereof and to the toothed end of the opposite dog. This arrangement of the flexible cables 77 and 78 permits the moving of the dogs carried by the levers 68 out of engagement with the rack bars 70 so as to permit the actuation of the levers together when one of the levers is operated. hen the switch is operated from the central switch stand 60, the dogs 71 are moved out of engagement with the rack bars by means of the flexible cables 62 which are trained around suitable guide pulleys 79 and 80 carried respectively by the central switch stand 16 and the side switch stands 19 and 20. The flexible cables 62 are connected to the toothed ends of the dogs 71 and thus it can be seen that when the rod 57 is depressed and the lever 50 swung up on its pivot, the dogs 71 will be moved out of engagement with the rack bars.

The central switch stand 16 is connected to each of the side switch stands 19 and 20 by means of tubular housings 81 and 82 and these tubular housings form means for receiving the operating rods 75 and the flexible cables 62, 76 and 78.

In operation of the improved switch, when a train approaches a siding, the head brakeman alights from the engine at the first distant switch stand and throws open the hinged cover 65 and grasps the lever 68 therein and pulls on the hinged lever which moves both the dogs of both the levers 68 and thus move the dogs out of engagement with the rack bars 70. The lever 68 is then moved in the desired direction which through the medium of the three arm lever 28 rotates the shaft 25 and moves the connecting rod 15 and throws the switch point. Owing to the fact that the circular I plate 35 is normally disconnected from the shaft 25 the actuating mechanism of the central switch stand 16 will not be operated. The train then continues through the switch and in the meantime the brakeman closes the lid 65 and locks the same and hops back on the train. The rear brakeman advances a few cars from the rear end of the train toward the engine and when the portion of the train he is riding on passes the second switch he alights from the same and operates the switch from the box as described for the first switch so as to return the switch to its normal position. Owing to the fact that the target 31 is carried by the shaft 25 the signals will be actuated each time the switch is operated.

When it is desired to operate the switch from the central or home stand 16 the padlock 43 will be moved from the arm 12 of the lever 38 and the locking plate 51 is swung on its pivot out of engagement with the sliding lever 15. The sliding lever 45 is then moved inwardly so as to position the forked end 14 thereof in engagement with the squared portion 30 of the shaft 25 and the operating lever 38 is swung into a vertical position as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing, which depresses the rod 57, which moves the dogs 71 out of engagement with the rack bars 7 0. When the lever 38 is swung to the horizontal position as shown in Fig. 7 the same is moved out of engagement with one of the notches 37 which permits the ready rotation of the plate 35. The lever is then moved so as to rotate the plate 35 which will transmit its movement to the shaft 25 and thus actuate the switch points through the medium of the three armed lever 28. Owing to the fact that the rod 57 is connected to the lever 50 by means of the pivot joint 59 the rod 57 is permitted to swing on the lever 60 and ride below the plate during the rotary movement thereof.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that an improved means is provided for operating switches at a point distant from the switch so as to permit the convenient operation thereof by the train crew so as to obviate the necessity of stopping the train, the switch being also constructed so as to prevent operation thereof by unauthorized persons.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; but,

We claim: p

1. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand, side switch stands, andmeans operatively connecting the switch stands with the switch points to permit operation of the switch points by any one of said switch stands.

2. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand, side switch stands located on opposite sides of the central switch stand at equidistantly spaced points, means operatively connecting the central switch stand with the switch points, and means operatively connecting the side switch stands with the central switch stand 3. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand, a rotatable shaft carried by the central switch stand, means operatively connecting the switch points with the shaft, distance switch stands located on the opposite sides of the central switch stands, operating levers arranged in the distant switch stands, and means operatively connecting the levers with the shaft mounted in the central switch stand.

4. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand, a rotatable shaft carried by the central switch stand, distant switch stands locatedon the opposite sides of the central switch stands, operating levers arranged in the distant switch stands and operatively connected to the shaft, means operatively connecting the shaft with the movable switch points, and means for operat-' ing the shaft from the central switch stand.

5. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand including a rotatable shaft, means operatively connecting the shaft with V the movable switch points, an operating leverfor the shaft, means operatively connecting the lever with the shaft, distant switch stands located on opposite sides of the central switch stand including operating levers, means operatively connecting the operating levers of the distant switch stands with the shaft, locking dogs carried by the levers, and means foryreleasing the locking dogs. s a 6. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand including a rotatable shaft, an operating lever, means for operatively connecting the operating lever with the shaft, distant switch stands located on opposite sides of the central switch stand each including operating levers, means operatively connecting the levers with the rotatable shaft, a locking dog carried by each of the operating levers, means for operating the dogs, and means for operatively connecting the dogs together for synchronous movement.

7. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand including a rotatable shaft, a rotatable plate loosely carried by the shaft,

means connecting the plate with the shaft 7 for movement therewith, an operating lever for the plate, means for locking the lever against movement, and means for operatively connecting the shaft with the switch points.

8; In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central, switch stand, distant switch stands located on opposite sides of the central switch stand, the central switch stand including a rotatable shaft and means operatively connecting the rotatable shaft with the movable switch points, each of the distant switch stands including a movable lever, means operatively connecting the movable levers with the central shaft, locking dogs carried by the operating levers, means operatively connecting the dogs together for synchronous movement, and means for operating the dogs from the central switch stand.

9. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a centrally disposed switch stand including a rotatable shaft, means operatively connecting the rotatable shaft with theswitch points, means for operating the rotatable shaft, distant switch stands located on opposite sides of the central switch stand, and each including an operating lever, means operatively connecting the levers with the rotatable shaft, locking means for the operating levers ineluding rack bars and pivoted dogs, flexible erating lever of the central switch stand for the shaft so that upon movement of the operating lever of the central switch stand the dogs will be moved out of engagement with the rack bars.

11. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand including a rotatable shaft and an operating lever thereof, distant switch stands located on opposite sides of the central switch stand, and each i eluding a casing having a pivoted cover, an operating lever, means for locking the lever, means operatively connecting the levers w th the rotatable shaft, and casings connecting the central switch stand with the distant switch stands for receiving said means for connecting the operating levers with the central rotatable shaft.

12. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a centrally disposed switch stand including a rotatable shaft, an operating lever for the shaft, a three arm lever carried by the shaft, means operatively connecting one of the arms with the movable switch points, distant switch stands located on opposite sides of the central switch stand, each including a casing and a pivoted operating lever, links plvotally connecting the levers to the other arms of the three arm lever, and means for locking the lever against movement.

13. In a railway switch, the combination with a movable switch point, of a central switch stand including a housing, a shaft rotatably carried by the housing, means operatively connecting the shaft with the switch points, a rotatable plate carried by the housing and arranged to move independent of said shaft, a pivoted lever carried by the plate, means arranged to hold the lever against movement, and means for operatively connecting the plate with the shaft so as to prevent rotation of the shaft upon movement of the lever in certain directions.

14. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand including a rotatable shaft, means operatively connecting the shaft with the switch points, a rotatable plate, the shaft being free to move independent of said plate, means for operatively connecting the plate with the shaft, means normally holding said means out of engagement with the shaft, a pivoted lever carried by said plate arranged to rotate said plate, and locking means for holding the lever and the plate against rotation.

15.'In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a central switch stand including a rotatable shaft, means operatively connecting the shaft with the movable switch points, a rotatable plate, the shaft being free to move independent of said plate, distant switch stands located at opposite sides of the central switch stand, and each including an operating lever, means operatively connecting the operating levers with the shaft, a lever for operating the plate, and means operatively connecting the plate with the shaft.

16. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a switch stand including a casing, a rotary shaft carried by the casing, means operatively connecting the shaft with the switch points, a rotatable plate arranged for independent movement in relation to the shaft, the shaft having a squared portion formed thereon, a sliding lever carried by the plate, a forked terminal formed on the lever arranged to engage said squared portion of the shaft, a pivoted lever carried by the plate, the casing having notches formed thereon'arranged to receive the pivoted lever, a locking plate arranged to engage said sliding levers to prevent movement thereof, and locking means arranged to engage the locking plate and said operating lever to hold the same against movement when out of engagement with the walls of said notches.

17. In a railway switch, the combination with movable switch points, of a centrally disposed switch stand including a casing, a rotary shaft carried by the casing, means operatively connecting the shaft with the movable switch points, a rotary plate carried by the switch casing arranged for independent movement of the shaft, means for operatively connecting the rotary plate with the shaft, a locking plate arranged to normally hold said means in inoperative position, distant switch stands located on opposite sides of the centrally disposed switch stand each including an operating lever, and locking means for the operating levers including dogs and sector racks, means operatively connecting the operating levers with the rotary shaft, flexible means for connecting the dogs together for synchronous movement, a pivoted operating lever carried by the rotary plate, the casing having notches formed therein arranged to receive the pivoted operating lever when the same is in its inoperative position, a sliding rod, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the casing, flexible means connecting the dogs to the last mentioned lever, a pivot joint connecting the last mentioned lever 5 with the rod, the pivoted operating lever being arranged to engage the rod when moved to operative position, means arranged to engage the locking plat] and said pivoted operating lever to hold the same against move- PAUL, P. BRADLEY. CYRUS E. LINDSEY. 

